Primary Convener:
Maria Clementina Caputo, CNR Water Research Institute

Convener:
Giorgio Cassiani, University of Padova
Valentina Prigiobbe, University of Padua

Chair:
Maria Clementina Caputo, National Research Council Water Research Institute
Valentina Prigiobbe, University of Padua

The unsaturated zone is crucial in subsurface processes that impact groundwater quality and quantity.Although theoretical and experimental approaches have been developed, gaps in comprehension and quantification of the processes that take place in the unsaturated zone persist. This session collects contributions on research concerning theoretical and experimental studies, aiming to increase knowledge on how water, contaminants, and microorganisms move through the unsaturated zone and reach the groundwater. Among the most effective characterization techniques, especially at the field scale, are hydro-geophysical methods. Topics include, but are not limited to: Effect of climate change on water retention and contamination of the vadose zone. Implications of wastewater reuse in agriculture on the groundwater contamination. Observations and modeling of microorganisms' accumulation and migration within the vadose zone.Contributions addressing these topics using different approaches, such as case studies, innovative methodologies, field and laboratory tests, are encouraged to facilitate discussion.

Index Terms
1831 Groundwater quality
1835 Hydrogeophysics
1875 Vadose zone

Neighborhoods:
3. Earth Covering